Jardin du Luxembourg

Parisians love this centrally located park, set around the Palais du Luxembourg. The sweeping terrace is a great place for people-watching, while locals sunbathe around the Octagonal Lake or sail toy boats in the water. Statues are dotted throughout the grounds, and there is a café (see Jardin du Luxembourg).

Jardin des Tuileries

Now officially part of the Louvre, these gardens were laid out in the 17th century as part of the old Palais de Tuileries. They stretch along the Seine between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. The walkways are lined with lime and chestnut trees. Statues include bronze figures by Aristide Maillol (see Jardin des Tuileries).

Jardin des Plantes

Established as a medicinal herb garden for the king in 1626, these vast botanical gardens are a wonderfully tranquil spot. Paths are lined with statuary and mature trees, including the oldest in Paris, an Acacia robinia dating from 1636. There is also an alpine garden (see Jardin des Plantes).

Bois de Boulogne

At the weekends, Parisians head for this vast park on the western edge of the city, with a boating lake and paths for cycling, jogging and strolling. There are three formal gardens, lakes and waterfalls, and even two horse-racing tracks. A good spot for a break from the city bustle (see Bois de Boulogne).

Bois de Vincennes

Another great escape from the city, this park is to the east of Paris what the Bois de Boulogne is to the west. A former royal hunting ground, it was landscaped in the 1860s. Now it features ornamental lakes and waterfalls, a zoo, a funfair and horse-racing tracks (see Bois de Vincennes).

Parc Monceau

The most fashionable green space in Paris, full of well-heeled residents of the nearby mansions and apartments. The lush landscaping dates from the 18th century, and some architectural follies, such as the Classical colonnade, survive (see Parc Monceau).

Jardins du Palais Royal

These lovely gardens are enclosed by the 18th-century arcades of the Palais-Royal. Contemporary sculptures include Daniel Buren’s controversial striped columns.

• Pl du Palais Royal, 75001

Versailles

There are gardens galore at this famous royal palace, from the formal French gardens with their geometric paths and shrubberies, to the wandering paths through the rural-style English garden north of the Petit Trianon. In summer, you can row boats on the lovely cross-shaped Grand Canal (see Versailles).

Parc Montsouris

Located south of Montparnasse, this is the second-largest park in central Paris and very popular with city residents. It was laid out in the English style atop an old granite quarry by landscape architect Adolphe Alphand between 1865 and 1878. Hemingway and other writers and artists frequented the park in the mid-20th century. It has a jogging path, lake and a bandstand.

• Blvd Jourdan, 75014

• Metro Cité Universitaire

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

The great city planner Baron Haussmann created this wonderful retreat northeast of the city centre in 1867, from what was formerly a rubbish dump Parc des Buttes Chaumont. His architects built artificial cliffs, waterfalls, streams and a lake complete with an island crowned by a Roman-style temple. There is also boating available, a café and lovely views of Sacré-Coeur.

• Rue Manin, 75019

• Metro Buttes-Chaumont

Agam Fountain

Jewish architect Yaacov Agam designed this fountain of water and lights.

• La Défense

• RER La Défense

Four Seasons Fountain

Paris looks down on figures representing the Seine and Marne rivers, designed in 1739 by sculptor Edme Bouchardon.

• Rue de Grenelle

Fontaine des Innocents

Carved by Jean Goujon in 1547, this is Paris’s only Renaissance fountain.

• Square des Innocents

Medici Fountain

This ornate 17th-century fountain with a pond was built for Marie de Médicis.

• Jardin du Luxembourg

Molière Fountain

This 19th-century fountain honours the French playwright.

• Rue de Richelieu

Observatory Fountain

Four bronze statues representing the continents hold aloft a globe.

• Jardin du Luxembourg

Châtelet Fountain

The two sphinxes of this 1808 fountain commemorate Napoleon’s victory in Egypt.

• Pl du Châtelet

Stravinsky Fountain

Birds squirt water from this colourful fountain (see Stravinsky Fountain).

Trocadéro Fountains

Spouting towards the Eiffel Tower, these fountains are illuminated at night (see View from the Trocadéro).

Versailles Fountains

The fountains at Versailles flow to music on summer Sunday afternoons.